- May 4, 2024
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Jim Manfre, who will take over the office of sheriff Jan. 8, wants to find funds to put deputies back in elementary schools.
On Free For All Friday Dec. 21, on WNZF, Manfre called in and said he has been in discussions with Superintendent Janet Valentine about school safety, and that there will be a workshop with the School Board to discuss the presence of school resource officers in all schools.
Manfre said he hopes to have deputies back in schools in this school year and suggested hiring certified, retired law enforcement officers on a part-time basis.
"SROs, to be effective, should be more than just security guards," he said. "They should be mentors, intelligence gatherers, identifiers of at-risk kids."
Free For All Friday host David Ayres started the conversation by asking Manfre whether people might be overreacting to the Newtown, Conn., shooting.
"The job of law enforcement is to plan for the worst," Manfre said. "It's not overreacting to review all policies when it comes to safety in the schools. ... The public expects us to be prepared in all situations."
Manfre added that it was always his plan to reinstate school resource officers, but that the Newtown shooting "gives us an impetus to get that started."
Kids will learn about the problems in the world regardless, Manfre said, so the best plan of action is to educate them about how to be safe.
Tasers in schools
Manfre said he has talked with Valetine about Tasers, or stun guns, as well.
"Tasers will remain in the schools," Manfre said. There will also be two policies written, one for how to handle students, and one for how to handle adults.
"There is an increase in incidents with adults, parents, coming into schools and causing problems," Manfre said.
